Barcelona hold the record for most recipients of the Golden boy award, which stands at 3, along with Manchester United. They are however, the first and only club so far to win it back to back. Pedri and Gavi were the latest recipients of this award, and Barcelona will have a chance to make that 3 in a row, as left back Alejandro Balde and winger Lamine Yamal have been nominated, though Yamal is one of the 5 wildcards.
Alejandro Balde had a breakthrough season in 22/23 under Xavi, where he was trusted to take over the left back spot from Jordi Alba, a herculean task. He worked his way to being undroppable and ended the season with a goal and 6 assists. The competition for the Golden Boy award is definitely a stiff one, as he's in the company of Real Madrid's - formerly Borussia Dortmund 's - Jude Bellingham (said to be the favorite), RB Leipzig's Xavi Simmons, Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.
Lamine Yamal has drawn considerable praise from the inventor of the award himself, Massimo Franchi. He said :
“The biggest surprise could be Lamine Yamal.”
“He is incredible, only 16 years old, born in 2007. He is a regular starter for Barcelona and even plays for the Spanish national team. He has broken records of Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu,”.
There's magic in those La Masia walls and waters, isn't it? Let's see if Barcelona will be able to make more history, with the best football academy in the world having come through once again for the Blaugrana.